Kindle DX-G serial console

ebs · 06-29-2009, 07:57 PM

For those who will need a serial console - it's relatively simple. Remove plastic cover and you'll see big pads (J9) right next to J23 connector - these are serial lines.
As usual, CMOS/TTL level converter is required (I used small board with MAX232 and external power supply I had from other project). I didn't solder anything - taped wires to the PCB with a scotch tape.

unrequited · 06-29-2009, 08:26 PM

Very cool! What are you using this for may I ask? Just another connectivity port besides usb?

ebs · 06-29-2009, 08:30 PM

Had to recover after botched jar file update

rfog · 06-30-2009, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebs

Had to recover after botched jar file update

You are my hero!!!!

I think you are doing great things with K!!

Perhaps folders in book viewer?

SalvaG · 06-30-2009, 10:25 AM

you want everything done, work a little!

P.S. thanks ebs, you rule

brteag00 · 06-30-2009, 04:02 PM

First networking over usb, then this. You're the man, ebs. I can't wait to see to what use you're putting all this hacking.

chinaet · 07-19-2009, 11:02 AM

great!!! i would try it with usb to ttl convert !, are u think j11 is jtag?

ebs · 07-19-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chinaet

great!!! i would try it with usb to ttl convert !, are u think j11 is jtag?

J11 is battery connector. I think J9 has JTAG pins

chinaet · 07-22-2009, 02:20 AM

today,finally,a usb to ttl convert has been attach to kindle dx. I got the boot log from console.

BTW:hi,ebs,can you show me your kindle dx boot log?

chinaet · 07-22-2009, 05:58 AM

3.Load MMC0 over USB storage

it needs PASSWORD,any one know it？

dr_g100k · 08-25-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebs

Had to recover after botched jar file update

Hello, can You explain recovery process (step by step)

I think I damaged something important.

My Kindle doesn't boot now... Display shows "Kindle is starting up, this can take a minute" since last night
When I press "Home" Kindle is in recovery mode, and I can access it via usb. BUT THERE ARE NO FILES!!! No any folders, It's clear.

I can't remember what exectly I did from serial console. It was 2 steps. Can you show me recovery menu? I think I will remember what items I chose.

ebs · 08-25-2009, 03:43 AM

I cannot explain it because it depends on what you actually did.
In my case, I modified U-Boot environment to boot directly to the shell skipping normal systemv init sequence and restored jar file I corrupted.
In other words, you have to be pretty fluent in low-level Linux admin stuff to do what I did, there is no menu or step-by-step instructions (I don't even remember exact commands)

dr_g100k · 08-25-2009, 10:09 AM

Thank you for quick reply.

As I read from U-Boot docs I need add only 1 kernel argument
setenv bootargs $bootargs init=/bin/sh
then boot.

I'try tomorrow. Wish me luck

ebs · 08-25-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_g100k

Thank you for quick reply.

As I read from U-Boot docs I need add only 1 kernel argument
setenv bootargs $bootargs init=/bin/sh
then boot.

I'try tomorrow. Wish me luck

No, it's not that simple. You have to *add* this to bootargs, otherwise you don't even see anything on serial console.

dr_g100k · 08-30-2009, 10:12 AM

OK. I got serial console again.

As I said I damaged something important
My steps:
from recovery menu

Code:

Menu
====
3. Load MMC0 over USB storage
4. Erase MMC0
I. Initialize Partition Table (fdisk) and format FAT
O. Format and overwrite FAT partition
E. Export FAT partition
U. Update using rootfs.img.gz or rootfs.img on FAT partition
Q. quit
Choose:  10

I chose "I"

Now my fat partition is clear and primary kernel can't mount rootfs

Is it THE END?

Log from console

06-29-2009, 07:57 PM	#1
ebs Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 629 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: California, USA Device: Kindle DX	Kindle DX-G serial console For those who will need a serial console - it's relatively simple. Remove plastic cover and you'll see big pads (J9) right next to J23 connector - these are serial lines. As usual, CMOS/TTL level converter is required (I used small board with MAX232 and external power supply I had from other project). I didn't solder anything - taped wires to the PCB with a scotch tape. Attached Thumbnails

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06-29-2009, 08:26 PM	#2
unrequited Zealot Posts: 133 Karma: 118 Join Date: Feb 2009 Device: Kindle 2 DX	Very cool! What are you using this for may I ask? Just another connectivity port besides usb?

06-29-2009, 08:30 PM	#3
ebs Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 629 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: California, USA Device: Kindle DX	Had to recover after botched jar file update

06-30-2009, 10:25 AM	#5
SalvaG Enthusiast Posts: 39 Karma: 54 Join Date: May 2009 Location: Spain Device: Kindle DX	you want everything done, work a little! P.S. thanks ebs, you rule

06-30-2009, 04:02 PM	#6
brteag00 Junior Member Posts: 3 Karma: 10 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Kindle DX	First networking over usb, then this. You're the man, ebs. I can't wait to see to what use you're putting all this hacking.

07-19-2009, 11:02 AM	#7
chinaet Member Posts: 14 Karma: 84 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: iliad Kindle DX	great!!! i would try it with usb to ttl convert !, are u think j11 is jtag?

07-22-2009, 05:58 AM	#10
chinaet Member Posts: 14 Karma: 84 Join Date: Sep 2006 Device: iliad Kindle DX	3.Load MMC0 over USB storage it needs PASSWORD,any one know it？

08-25-2009, 03:43 AM	#12
ebs Zealot Posts: 100 Karma: 629 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: California, USA Device: Kindle DX	I cannot explain it because it depends on what you actually did. In my case, I modified U-Boot environment to boot directly to the shell skipping normal systemv init sequence and restored jar file I corrupted. In other words, you have to be pretty fluent in low-level Linux admin stuff to do what I did, there is no menu or step-by-step instructions (I don't even remember exact commands)

08-25-2009, 10:09 AM	#13
dr_g100k Member Posts: 19 Karma: 12 Join Date: Aug 2009 Device: Kindle DX	Thank you for quick reply. As I read from U-Boot docs I need add only 1 kernel argument setenv bootargs $bootargs init=/bin/sh then boot. I'try tomorrow. Wish me luck

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